Special People, Special Planning - About the Authors of the Special Needs Planning Book.

Peggy R. Hoyt, J.D., M.B.A.

Peggy is the oldest of four daughters born to John A. Hoyt and Gertrude M. “Trudy” Hoyt. She was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and spent her first 10 years as a “PK,” or “preacher’s kid,” before her father joined The Humane Society of the United States in 1970. Peggy graduated with an A.A. degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia; earned a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida; and earned a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Peggy has worked in a number of fields including college recruiting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and financial consulting at Merrill Lynch. She also served as chief financial officer for Fine Foliage of Florida.

Today, Peggy and her law partner, Randy Bryan, own and operate Hoyt & Bryan, LLC. Her law firm limits its practice to estate planning and administration, including special needs planning, pet planning, elder law and guardianships. She also works in the areas of business creation and succession as well as real estate and corporate transactions.

Peggy is the author of a one-of-a kind book called All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet available through her law office, your favorite bookstore or by visiting www.legacyforyourpet.com.

She is active in a variety of organizations, including the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, as a regular speaker on estate planning topics and contributor of practice management materials. In addition, she serves as co-chair of the Orange County Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Committee, as trustee to Stetson University’s Business School Foundation, and as a board member of The Harmony Institute, a not-for-profit organization. Peggy speaks regularly to the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), a program of the University of Central Florida.

Peggy’s passion is her pets, so when she is not working on building her law practice, writing or speaking, she is spending time “playing” with her wild mustang horses; Reno and Tahoe, and her Premarin rescue, Sierra; her dogs, Kira, Corkie and Tiger; and her cats, Beijing, Bangle, Cuddles and Tommy.

CANDACE M. POLLOCK, J.D.

Prior to attending law school, Candace owned a business that provided claim review and consulting services to Ohio lawyers in the area of workers' compensation and Social Security claims - areas involving the rights of disabled people. During this period she was a founding member and first acting president of the Women Business Owner’s Association (now known as the Cleveland Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners).

Candace was encouraged to attend law school by her attorney-clients and graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1986. After graduation, she joined Hahn & Swadey - a firm established in 1951 - and later became partner, forming Hahn, Swadey & Pollock. Finally, upon the retirement of Robert Swadey, the firm became Hahn & Pollock.

Candace continued representing disabled people while expanding her practice to include estate and financial planning, probate and elder law services in response to the needs of her clients.

Her participation in professional and community activities has been eclectic and runs the gamut from board member of a neighborhood association to president of a local non-profit athletic (rowing) organization. She has held various leadership roles in legal and professional associations, including: chair of the Workers' Compensation and Social Security Section of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Representative-at-Large on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers (OATL) and executive committee member of the Workers' Compensation Section of OATL. She participates in non-board positions in other non-profit, charitable and political organizations.

She is currently a mentor coach in the Practice Builder Program of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys (NNEPA). In this national program, she helps coach attorneys in effective business management and marketing practices to help them create practices that meet the needs of their clients and families.

In addition, she teaches individuals and organizations about various disability and estate planning topics.

CONTACT US:

Peggy and Candace are available as speakers and for interviews and are happy to contribute written material to publications regarding planning for special people. Please feel free to contact them at: